Malta’s Recipe for Wellness: Linking Food, Education & Health
The article highlights the struggles faced by Liverpool schools due to chronic underfunding, with 86% experiencing financial losses since 2010, impacting both education quality and community mental health. Headteachers warn of deficits leading to staff cuts and reduced resources, particularly for students with special educational needs. These challenges underscore the interconnectedness of education and well-being, offering valuable lessons for Malta, where community health and education are deeply valued. The article draws parallels between Liverpool’s situation and Malta’s emphasis on nurturing environments, from schools to family dining, emphasizing the importance of investing in both mental and physical health. For Malta, known for its Mediterranean diet and community cohesion, the need to prioritize equitable resource allocation in education aligns with its broader focus on holistic well-being.
Title: "Malta’s Food for Thought: How Community Health and Education Are Interlinked"
In Malta, a country celebrated for its Mediterranean cuisine and commitment to wellness, discussions on education and community wellbeing often intersect with the importance of physical and mental health. As Liverpool headteachers warn about schools reaching a breaking point, there are valuable lessons for Malta in understanding how systemic challenges in education can ripple out to affect broader societal health.
In Liverpool, 29 headteachers have signed an open letter to Rachel Reeves, calling on her to restore “the achievements of the last Labour government.” They claim that schools in the city have lost £52.3 million in real terms since 2010, with 86% of schools facing financial losses. This strain is not just about academics; it impacts the mental health of educators, students, and communities—a reminder of how interconnected education and wellbeing are.
Karen Barr, headteacher at Dovecot Primary School, highlighted the growing stress on staff and the looming threat of job cuts. “We are currently in a deficit budget and are providing a good education with no funding to supplement curriculum demands,” she said. The school’s high intake of students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has only added to the pressure, with insufficient funding to meet their requirements. For those of us in Malta, where a culture of community support and balanced living is deeply valued, this raises questions about how we prioritize resources for both education and health.
Research by the Stop School Cuts Coalition, run by teaching unions like the NEU, the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), and the NAHT school leaders’ union, found that seven in 10 schools in England have experienced real-terms budget cuts since 2010. Christopher Davey, headteacher at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Primary School, described the impact as “devastating,” stating, “Cuts are impacting quality of provision, progress, and attainment as well as staff morale and wellbeing.” This erosion of morale underscores the link between workplace stress and mental health, an issue that resonates globally, including in Malta’s own education and hospitality sectors.
For Maltese families, where home-cooked meals and quality time are cornerstones of daily life, the challenges in Liverpool serve as a reminder of the importance of nurturing environments—not just at the dinner table but also in schools. Chronic underfunding, as the Liverpool headteachers’ letter warns, results in fewer teachers, limited resources, and reduced educational opportunities, all of which can affect a child’s long-term health and ability to thrive. In Malta, where the Mediterranean diet promotes longevity and wellbeing, the loss of such foundational support would be unthinkable.
Labour’s annual conference, set to take place in Liverpool, will see four vans circling the venue, urging the government to “reverse school cuts.” NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede emphasized the heartbreak of headteachers having to choose between cutting subjects, staff, or resources just to balance the books. His call to action—restoring funding for schools—echoes the broader need to invest in the next generation’s health, both physical and mental. In Malta, where the food industry plays a vital role in community cohesion, we understand the value of investing in what nourishes us, whether it’s education, food, or relationships.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) reported that government school spending per pupil in England grew 11% in real terms from 2019/20 to 2024/25, reversing earlier cuts and returning to 2010 levels. However, most of this growth has been absorbed by high-needs spending, leaving mainstream school funding with only a 5% real-term increase. For Malta, where schools are seen as community pillars and often promote healthy eating programs, this highlights the importance of ensuring that resources are distributed equitably to maintain both academic and personal development.
A spokesperson for the Department for Education defended the current government, stating that they are “putting a further £3.7 billion into schools’ budgets” and increasing pupil premium funding to over £3 billion by 2025-26. Initiatives like free breakfast clubs and qualified teachers were cited as steps to ensure every child can thrive. Breakfast programs, which are already popular in Malta, align with the island’s focus on wholesome, nutritious starts to the day. Such initiatives are a clear example of how education and health go hand-in-hand.
Ultimately, the struggles of Liverpool’s schools serve as a poignant lesson for communities everywhere, including Malta. Whether through ensuring funding for education, supporting mental health, or promoting healthy lifestyles, the well-being of our children and educators must remain a priority. By creating environments that nourish both the body and the mind, we can ensure a brighter future for the next generation. In Malta, where food, health, and education are deeply valued, this is a conversation that resonates deeply.